August 21st, 1852, requests were received from
the Second Worcester Baptist Church then called the West
Worcester Baptist Church and from the Cross Hill Church also
called Sap Bush Hill Church and now West Fulton, to send
delegates to sit in ordaining councils, and in each case three
brethren and Elder Jones were appointed. Seth Fancher, John B.
VanBuren and Jacob Payne were appointed to West Worcester, and
Deacon H. Van Buren, Alvah Fancher and Chester Payne were
appointed to the Cross Hill Church. The request from the West
Worcester Church was for the purpose of ordaining rev. Jesse
Evans, now retired, and living in Worcester.

It would seem that about this time that the
church did not have any regular pastor, but Elder John Smith
seemed to be with the church, for at the Covenant meeting held
Oct. 16, 1852, eleven persons related their experience and were
baptized by him Oct. 17th. The names of the persons were David
Lincoln, Sarah E. Fancher, Emeline van Hoozer, Philemon Payne,
Sally Martin, Cecelia Miller, Amy Rider, Mrs. Betsy Rider (Still
alive Feb. 1912, and who has furnished us many facts about the
old church), Rhoda Smith, Mary Davis and John Blake.

And again, December 26th, the following were
baptized: Levi H. Robbins (afterwards Deacon and a very active
worker for his Lord), Aunt Hepsy Robbins, his wife, and still
alive in Feb. 1912, and Abraham Smith.

On Nov. 2nd 1852, Levi Lincoln, uncle of Levi J.
Lincoln, now (1912) postmaster at Charlotteville, was received by
experience. He afterwards became pastor for a short time of the
Milford Center Church.

In those days (1852 and more than thirty years
afterward), the semi-annual meeting was held, and churches
appointed delegates to attend it and they attended it. But now in
these present times some of the brethren have to be coaxed to
attend the regular annual meeting of the Association, and when it
is not certain that a fair representation of delegates will be
present, then some member of the church suggests that "if
any other members happen to be there that they consider
themselves delegates." Whence has the old Baptist spirit
flown? Brethren, are not some of us a little ashamed at the
prevailing conditions?

But in 1853, for some months, affairs did not
seem to be very brisk in the church. The church records for a
time are meager. For half a dozen different months the record is
simply: "Church met and renewed Covenant." On April 26th,
1853 Elder Francis Jones and wife were granted letters of
dismission. At the June meeting, Elder Elijah Spafford was with
them and was appointed as one of the delegates to the Association
to be held at Leesville, July 6-7. he has not yet deposited his
letter received a year before and on Nov. 26 had it renewed. The
Church then had 107 members. We might think the number ought to
be more on account of the many baptisms, but some had been
dismissed and some had been disfellowshipped.

On Jan. 21st, 1854, in regular church meeting, it
was sought to adopt some plan "of raising our minister's
salary etc., by equalizing it on the property belonging to
individuals who are members of the church," and it was
resolved that "a committee of three be appointed to
ascertain the amount each one ought to pay, and what each one is
worth, (That was probing was it not?), and each individual member
can have the privilege of telling the committee what he or she is
worth, and if any member is not willing to come under the above
rules, they may act voluntarily in their contribution."

It was carried by a vote of 19 against 1.

On June 29th, it was voted that Levi Robbins
"paint and varnish the seats in the gallery." The
church must have had considerable use for the gallery then.

On Oct. 28th, 1854, the word "Rev."
instead of Elder is used in the church Book before Walter Covey's
name. This seems to be the first recorded instance of "Rev."
being used in the Church Book of the First Summit Baptist Church.

Sometimes the Elder was spoken of as the Bishop.
In 1825, when the Rensslaerville Association was held in the town
of Broome, Elder Elijah Herrick is spoken of as Bishop Herrick,
and according to Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus the title
was correctly used. See Note 1 of Third Installment. Elder Elijah
Herrick we think was the grandfather of the present Rev. C. L.
Herrick of the Second Worcester Church.

About the middle of 1854, a "committee to
attend our singing schools to keep order" etc. was
appointed, and that committee of Hiram Lincoln, Silas Hix and Col.
Stephen Stilwell. The church about this time seemed to be much
interested in singing schools. On March 26, 1855, a committee was
appointed to circulate a subscription paper for a singing school;
also a committee of arrangements to keep order in the singing
schools, George Payne, Judson Ryder, B. W. Gage and others were
on that Committee. On April last, it was "voted that brother
Levi Robbins, Jr., B. W. gage, and Deacon Hiram Van Buren be
added to the present committee to procure a teacher of music to
teach a school of singing and lead the choir on the Sabbath."

Elder Russell H. Spafford, half-brother of
Lysander E. Spafford, a school-teacher, became pastor in 1855.
His father Elijah Spafford, was a former pastor, and lived in
Westford. He had been hired for the sum of $268 per year, and the
committee that hired him recommended that the church pay him one-half
of the amount in the Fall. He served from about the Spring of
1855 to some time in 1859.

Elder Russell H. Spafford lived in a house that
once stood on the bank of the road running from Charlotteville to
East Worcester, left hand side, and about midway between the
house now (1912) occupied by Erskine Fox and the house now
occupied by Arthur Sullivan. In summertime the place can be
recognized by the clumps of yellow lilies growing there. The
next time you go from Charlotteville to east Worcester, in
summer, just take a look at the tell-tale lilies that point out
where the house stood that once sheltered one of God's faithful
servants.

On November 24, 1855, the following brethren were
appointed "a committee of arrangements to attend the matters
relative to the donation in behalf of Elder R. H. Spafford,"
namely, Seth Fancher, Silas W. Hix and B. W. Gage. This seems to
be the first donation recorded in the

Church Book. Of course that does not say it was
the first that the church ever gave to a minister.

On Sunday, May 4, 1856, the following persons
were baptized: William Mowers, Judson Rider, John Jacobs,
Ingraham Smith, (now living in East Worcester), Mary Ann Lincoln,
late of Kirkwood, N. Y. and who died in June, 1911, Lucinda
Jacobs, Elsie Jane Cool, Roxana Putney, Caroline Albert and Eliza
Ann Stilwell.

On July 26, 1856, Brother Levi Robbins, Jr., and
Brother Alvah Fancher were chosen as deacons. There was no
elaborate ceremony as in the earlier times of the church.

On Aug. 23, 1856, letters of dismission and
recommendation were voted to Deacon Hiram VanBuren and wife
Margaret. On Jan. 24, 1857, the following brethren were appointed
"to procure a minister to preach to us the coming year:
Peter H. Mitchell, George Payne (the brother of the present
Joseph, Jacob, Austin, Chester of South Worcester, and Lysander),
and E. H. Osborn (father of the present Mrs. Hiram D. Haner)."

On July 7 and 8, 1858, the Worcester Baptist Association met
with the First Summit Baptist Church for the fourth time. Elder H. Garlick
preached the annual sermon from the text: Matt. 5:14, 16. Elder Jesse Evans, now
about in his 90th and 91st year, and living in Worcester was Moderator.

On September 25, 1858, at a regular Church meeting, it was
resolved "that a letter of privilege to improve in preaching or preparing
for the ministry be granted to Brother Levi J. Lincoln." On Feb. 22, 1862,
he was granted a letter of dismission and recommendation to unite with the East
Worcester Church. His full name was Levi Joseph, and as previously stated was
the uncle of the present L. J. Lincoln, postmaster of Charlotteville. In 1862 he
was preaching for the Milford Church at Milford Center, he having succeeded
Elder Walter Covey, once pastor of First Summit Baptist Church, and who
"aided in the organization of the Worcester Baptist Association, and to
whom, under God, many of its churches are indebted for their greatest
prosperity." Elder Covey died June 1st, 1862, "in the full hope of an
immortal life." He served ten churches in his time, extensive revivals
following his labors. He baptized some 400 converts. His last words were:
"If this be dying, O blessed be death." He was buried as he wished on
the field where fell. But brother Lincoln, was soon to follow his predecessor to
his eternal reward, for three weeks after his ordination, he passed to be with
Jesus.

On Jan. 22, 1859, it was motioned and carried that brother Levi
Robbins be granted the privilege of improvement in trying to preach the gospel.

Elder Cornell commenced his labors in 1859 and both he and his
wife were received by letter into the fellowship of the Church on May 21, 1859.

Some records on the Church Book manifest humor, whether intended
or not. On Oct. 22, 1859, it is recorded that "the church met as usual and
after a serious deliberation, they proceeded to empty the stovepipe, after which
they dispersed." But if that is all they did, they must have been saints
indeed!

On Jan 21st, 1860, P. H. Mitchell, J. P. Smith and J. Nelson
were the committee appointed to "hire a pastor."

At the church meeting April 21st, 1860, the church received a
legacy of $1,000 from Harmon Mitchell. The church appointed Elder Cornell to
extend to the said donor their "most hearty thanks and good wishes."
Harmon Mitchell was grandfather of the present Mrs. A. C. Wilcox of Binghamton,
Mrs. Levi H. Smith of Charlotteville and Mr. Harmon Mitchell of Hooper, N. Y.
The latter celebrated his golden wedding October 3, 1910.

At the Association in 1860, the church reported 127 members and
numerically was the largest one in the Association.

On Oct. 25, 1851, Alvah Fancher was appointed clerk to succeed
D. L. Rider. On July 26, 1856, D. L. Rider again became clerk, but on April 23,
1859, Hiram Lincoln was appointed clerk to succeed him, and continued as such
until the year 1862.

H. VanBuren who was son of John B. Van Buren and who lived in a
house recently (1911) torn down on the west end of the present Seward Gallup
farm; Peter R. Hix who was father of the present Walter Hicks of Decatur; Levi
Robbins, who was husband of Aunt Hepsy Robbins; and Alvah Fancher.

In 1861, Elder Harvey Cornell continued as pastor, and at the
church meeting on January 26th, he gave a cordial invitation to the church and
friends to attend a wood bee on Wednesday, Jan 30. The bee was for his especial
benefit. But the weather being bad that day, his wood pile was not helped much.
Also, at the meeting of Feb. 23rd, the pastor gave an invitation "to one
and all to attend a wood bee" on Wednesday, Feb. 27th, "or if bad
weather, the first good day after,"after which Deacon Robbins closed the
meeting with prayer.

In the digest of the letters to the Association (Minutes of
1861), we find this paragraph:
"Summit First - Say that Zion's cords have been lengthened; congregations
good; a Sabbath School and Bible class."

In 1861, when the Worcester Baptist Association met at
Worcester, on the second day of the meeting, July 4th, the venerable First
Summit Baptist Church, through its delegated, Elder H. Cornell, Deacons Levi
Robbins and Alvah Fancher, A. Cleveland and George Payne, (husband of the
present Mrs. Susan Payne), helped to pass the following preamble and
resolutions:

"Whereas, Convened at a period when a dire calamity has
befallen our happy country, we, the representatives of the churches comprising
the Worcester Baptist Association, conceive it to be eminently proper to place
on record our solemn convictions of duty, as Christians and citizens of these
United States;

"And, whereas, There is avowed open rebellion against our
Government, brought about by ambitious, designing, reckless and wicked men, by
whom the flag of our Union has been trampled upon and trailed in the dust, the
Constitution ignored, and the very existence of our

"And, whereas, A universal feeling of uncompromising
fidelity to the Constitution, the Union and our Government exists among the
Baptists of the North, coupled with a confidence in the rectitude of the course
pursued by our Government therefore,

"Resolved, That we humble ourselves before God, praying for
the forgiveness of our sins as a Nation, and for the blessings of our Heavenly
Father to rest upon our Executive, upon the leader of our Army and upon each of
the vast multitude of patriots who have taken up arms for the defense of our
Government, that they may have the courage and wisdom requisite to achieve a
glorious peace;

"Resolved, That when our erring brethren of the South shall
become loyal to the Government, we will welcome their return with joy and
gratitude of heart."

Grand and loyal resolutions! There was no silly "Ambassador
of heaven" nonsense about those resolutions, like as we have occasionally
heard it set forth by one of a very deluded few, who claim that they are
"ambassadors of heaven" and therefore have nothing to do with the
political affairs of the nation. Shame on such twaddle. God has given us our
country to care for, just as much as he has given us our homes to provide for
and protect. Christianity is not foolishness.

1861 - 1870

Again, when the Association met at Roseboom July 2 and 3, 1862,
the First Summit Baptist Church, through its delegates, Elder H. Cornell, Deacon
L. H. Robbins and A. Cleveland had a hand in helping to pass the following
patriotic resolutions:

Resolved, That we regard the War now waged by the National
Government to put down the unprovoked and wicked rebellion that has risen
against it, and to establish anew the reign of order, and of law as a most
righteous one, sanctioned alike by God and all right thinking men, involving our
very life as a Nation and everything previous depending on that life and related
most intimately to the progress of civilization, freedom and Christianity
throughout the earth:

Resolved, That we believe the institution of slavery to be the
principal cause of this attempt to overthrow the Government, and establish an
aristocracy; and that a lasting peace cannot be enjoyed short of its entire
overthrow;

Resolved, That we tender to the President of the United States,
and his associates in Government, our hearty confidence, sympathy and support,
with the assurance that the continued prayers of both brethren and sisters will
be offered, that the same Divine hand which has so manifestly guided them in the
past, may lead them on to the full and triumphant establishment of union,
justice and liberty over the whole country, and among all ranks and conditions
of its people.

On Sunday, August 23rd, 1882, the Church met at a regular
meeting "and related their minds and feelings relative to the cause of
Christ,"

and for some months afterwards the record tells us they related
their "Christian exercises" or "renewed their Covenant" and
adjourned.

In 1863, Elder Joel Lyon became pastor, and acted as such until
about the close of 1864.

When the Association met with the Second Summit Baptist Church
(See Note 1) in the village of Summit on July 1st and 2nd, 1863, the venerable
First Summit Baptist Church, through its delegates, Elder Joel Lyon, Benj. W.
Gage, David Lincoln, who enlisted in the service of his country Sept.5th, 1864,
and D. G. Mann, helped to pass the following loyal preamble and resolutions:

Note 1. The Second Summit Baptist Church is no longer in
existence. It ceased to be active about 1877.

Note 2. The Maryland Baptist Church organized Sept. 22, 1808,
built a church at Schenevus in 1868, and which was set off and recognized in
1871. The Maryland Church disbanded about 1896 or 1897, eighteen of its members
uniting with the Schenevus Church.

The Maryland Baptist Church's first building was erected in 1816
at a cost of $800 by Nathaniel Rose and donated by him to the church. It was
located in Maryland where Lutheran edifice afterwards stood. It was painted red.
In 1835, at a cost of $1,200 the Maryland church built a new place of worship at
Chaseville. As already stated, in 1868, the Maryland Church built a new place of
worship at Schenevus. It cost $4,100. About 1907 the old church building at
Chaseville was taken down and moved to Schenevus, and made into a parsonage.

Whereas, A portion of our country is in a state of rebellion,
and the Government is being wantonly assailed by the insurgents, we deem it
proper for this and every other religious body, to give expression to their
sentiments on the subject, therefore, be it

Resolved, That a calamity so fearful as that which is now upon
us, could not be permitted by a righteous Providence, without an adequate cause,
for God has said: "The curse causeless shall not come," and that we
regard the sins of the nation, and especially the sin of American Slavery, as
such cause;

Resolved, That we believe God, by His Providence, is calling the
nation to repentance and deep humiliation before him and that he requires
of us "to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to
let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke;

Resolved that the charge preferred by many against the ministers
of the Gospel, as the cause and instigators of this rebellion, is a base
reflection, false in statement, malicious in spirit, and is made to cover the
guilt of those who are in complicity with the real instigators of this wicked
rebellion;

Resolved, That it is the duty of every citizen, and especially
of every Christian, and the Christian minister, to rally around the standard of
their country, and pledge to their Government their hearty cooperation and
support in its efforts to suppress this wicked rebellion and restore peace and
prosperity to our distracted country.

When the Worcester Baptist Association held its annual gathering
with the Maryland Baptist Church at Chaseville (See Note 2) July 6 and 7, 1864,
the First Summit Baptist Church did its share through its delegates to have the
resolution, contained in the Fifty-Sixth Annual

Report of the Baptist Missionary Convention, printed in the
Associational Minutes. here follow the resolutions:

resolved, That the rebellion now in progress against the
Government of the United States, was inaugurated and is now continued in the
interest of human slavery; that in its spirit and results it aims a deadly blow
at law and order at the persons, property and lives of the people of the Free
States; that the tendency is to break up the foundations of society, bring
contempt on government as ordained of God, and introduce the reign of anarchy
and riot, robbery and murder, universal terror and misery;

Resolved, That by our prayers, our influence, and our personal
services, we will aid the National Government to the extent of our power, with
the view of utterly crushing out this causeless and wicked rebellion;

Resolved, That as servants of the Prince of Peace, we desire
peace, but we would have a peace founded in righteousness and perpetuated in
justice and equity; securing to all the dwellers in our land, regardless of
class, condition and color, and inalienable right to life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness;

Resolved, That it is our hope and our prayer that God will
overrule this defiant and impious conspiracy of traitors against human and
Divine laws, for the speedy and complete extirpation of slavery throughout all
our borders.

On December 24, 1861, Brethren Payne Smith and Deacon Robbins
were appointed a ministerial committee for the ensuing year and Elder Harvey
Cornell became pastor. He closed his labors about 1868.

Also, at the Associational Meeting in Westford in 1865, the
brethren of the First Summit Baptist Church helped to pass the following
resolutions:

Whereas, Our country has been, during a period of four years
enduring all the horrors of civil war, and whereas, we are again blessed with a
return of peace, and a brighter prospect now opens before us, therefore,

Resolved, That we hail with emotions of joy and gratitude to
Almighty God, the return of peace to our distracted country;

Resolved, That we rejoice and give glory to God, that as he
overthrew Pharaoh and his host, burying them in the waters of the Red Sea, so He
has again interposed in behalf of the oppressed and humbling their haughty
oppressors, has liberated the captive, broken every yoke, and fully emancipated
his poor;

Resolved, That the elective franchise should be granted to all,
without distinction of color, except the privilege be forfeited by crime;

Resolved, That the heroes of our many battles are entitled to
the honor and respect of the Nation, and that we welcome the return of those who
have survived the conflict, and cherish the memory of those who have fallen;

Resolved, That the Nation demands of the Court and the
Executive, that justice be meted out to assassins and conspirators, and we
hereby pledge them our support.

On Saturday, July 24, 1865, the Church licensed Brother Delisce
Brown "to preach the gospel, and requested the Clerk to give him a written
license." He and his wife received letters of recommendation and dismission
Sept. 23, following:

On Sunday Dec. 24th, Mary McCann and Francis D. Baker were
baptized. On Jan. 14, 1866, Barney Brazie and wife, John Wilsey and wife, David
L. Chickering and Sally Burnside, were baptized. On

In 1868, Elder Corwin assumed pastoral control of the church.
After the good ingathering by Elder Harvey Cornell, then there was a lull in the
church through Elder Corwin's pastorate, and it is indicated in the church
record by such phrases as "no business of importance," or "No
other business," or "No business," etc. On Nov. 27, 1869, it is
recorded concerning the Covenant meeting that "Deacon Robbins and Deacon (B.W.)
Gage and myself (Barney F. Wilcox) were the male members and a few sisters were
all." It looked discouraging. A minister dreads being pastor of a church
during the "lull time" of his experience.

Elder Hallock became pastor in 1870 and remained as such until
the spring of 1873. (We always have harbored tender thoughts toward Elder
Hallock, as he was one of the Council that helped to set us apart to the Gospel
ministry at Stamford, N.Y., Aug. 19, 1894). During Elder Hallock's pastorage
about eighteen were baptized into the fellowship of the church. Besides being
pastor of the First Summit, he also served the second Summit village until April
1872.

On May 24, 1862, Daniel G. Mann was appointed Church Clerk to
succeed Hiram Lincoln, and served as such until Barney F. Wilcox was appointed
March 25, 1865. Mr. Wilcox served until August 25, 1877, when because of ill
health he was released.

At this time, a little more than 40 years afterward, of those 28
then present, Deacon Jacob Payne and his wife Elizabeth, Seabury H. Toles,
Walter C. Hicks, and sisters Hepsy Robbins, Mary Moore (mother of the present
Clerk, George E. Moore), and Mahama Silvernail, are still living. There may be
others.

As we said in our twentieth installment, Elder Hallock remained
as pastor until the Spring of 1873. We regret that we cannot give the names of
those that were baptized by him.

On Wednesday and Thursday, July 3 and 4, 1872, the Worcester
Baptist Association met for the fifth time with the venerable church.

It had been a good year with the church, and according to the
letter to the Association the church had "felt something of the Spirit's
influence," and some of them had been revived, and sinners had been
converted. The Church desired "the prayers" of the Association that
the present gathering may revive the church, and a blessing to the
community."

In November 1872, the following brethren were appointed to
"fill the desk" for 1873: Brethren Chester Payne, Wolsey Cornell and
Hiram Rifenbark (received from the Second Summit Church, and now one of the
loyal, sturdy deacons). In February following, Deacon B. W. Gage was added to
the ministerial committee.

Elder John Smith who commenced his first pastorate with the
venerable church forty years before, was secured, and April 26th, 1873, was his
first Covenant meeting, but for some reason or other was not present. On May 24,
both he and his wife Hannah were received by letter from the Afton church. he
also supplied the Second Summit Baptist Church every two weeks until about 1874.

Nothing special occurred for some months. Two members, the
present Shubal Smith now of Worcester and his first wife were received by letter
August 24, 1873. But at the Church meeting Dec. 27, the Church Book says that
members of the church "were in full attendance, and God is greatly reviving
us as a church, and the wayward are coming home to Christ, confessing their
sins."

And on Sunday, Jan. 11th, he baptized Jacob Silvernail and Olivia Silvernail, and Nelson Wayman and Emeline Wayman.

The church was passing through pleasant paths and thus on Jan.
25th, the Clerk, B. F. Wilson, makes this record: "In regular Church
meeting, a large part of the church being present and the spirit of our Master
being in our midst, the meeting was one of especial profit."

As after all revivals, disciplinary measures had to be taken,
and two at least were excluded for profane language and irreligious conduct.

On May 23rd after delegates to attend the Associational meeting
had been chosen Brother Hiram Rifenbark (not yet elected as Deacon) was
appointed to collect money for the printing of the Minutes and he has been
appointed to that business a great many times since.

In 1874, the Church letter reported that the Sunday School was
"very interesting, numbering more than one hundred," and that the
Church was "happy in Christ." besides the 100 scholars, there were
also ten teachers, making in all 110. That year was probably high-water mark in
the Sunday school, as in 1878, in the church membership, it was high-water mark,
namely 139.

The Sunday school Superintendents in the 70's were Elder John
Smith, Walter C. Hicks, Hiram Rifenbark, and Deacon Levi H. Robbins. It was this
year (1874) that sister Elvira Johnson Payne, who died Jan. 24, 1912, was
received by letter. She has been baptized in old Sammy Chickering's mill-pond,
over Clapper Hollow way. In her obituary notice in our February paper, we
misprinted her name as Almira and Alvira.

At the Covenant Meeting June 24th, 1876, it was resolved,
"that this Church prepare a list of the members of this church and call at
each Covenant meeting and preserve the same as part of the records of this
church."

At the regular Church (or Covenant) meeting, April 21st, 1877,
there was voted "a letter of occasional communion to Sister Lucy
Sisson", something new!

On September 22nd, a very precious meeting was the experience of
those in attendance. The record says that "the Spirit of God was evidently
in the midst," and "several of the brethren and sisters were in
tears." "One that had wandered came back, and requested to be received
into fellowship once more." On December 22nd, the church rejoiced in the
Covenant meeting that pastor John Smith was "holding meetings at an
out-station and souls were being born into the kingdom." They felt some of
the Spirit's warming and reviving influence."

At a special meeting of the church, January 12, 1878, the
Articles of Faith and Covenant were read. We append the Covenant, which we find
in the Church Book beginning Jan. 12, 1878. It is also in the Book beginning
July 23, 1898.

THE COVENANT.

As we trust we have been brought by divine grace to receive the
Lord Jesus Christ, and to give up ourselves to Him, so we do now, relying upon
His gracious aid, solemnly covenant with each other, and promise that we will
walk together in brotherly love as become the members of a Christian church.

That we will exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over
each other and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may
require,

That we will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together,
nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others. That we will endeavor to bring up
such as may at any time be under our care in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord, and by a pure and holy example, to win our kindred and acquaintances to
the Saviour, to holiness, and to eternal life.

That we will rejoice in each other's happiness and endeavor with
tenderness and sympathy to bear each other's burdens and sorrows.

That we will not bring forward to the Church a complaint
against any member for any personal trespass against us, until we have taken
the first and second steps pointed out by Christ in the 18th Chapter of
Matthew, and that all private offenses which can be privately settled, we will
never make public.

That we will live circumspectly in the world "denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts," setting a worthy example and remembering,
that as we have been voluntarily buried by baptism and have been raised up
from the emblematical grave, so there is on us a special obligation henceforth
to lead a new and holy life.

That we will strive together for the support of a faithful,
evangelical ministry among us.

That according to our ability and opportunities, we will as
faithful servants of the Lord, do good to all men, especially in helping to
extend the gospel in its purity and power to the

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